Perfluoroctylbromide: a liver/spleen-specific and tumor-imaging ultrasound contrast material.

Abstract

The effect of perfluoroctylbromide (PFOB) on liver and tumor echogenicity was evaluated in rabbits. The echogenicity of the kidney, which is not affected by PFOB, was used as the basis for comparison in the liver studies. For the liver echogenicity study, sonography was performed on 4 rabbits, 2 with PFOB and 2 without PFOB and 4 rabbits prior to and following the i.v. administration of 5 ml/kg PFOB. All livers were equal to or less echogenic than kidney in the control animals. All livers became more echogenic than kidney 2 days after administration of PFOB. The effect of PFOB on tumor echogenicity was evaluated in 18 rabbits with VX2 tumor implanted in the liver. Ultrasound studies of all rabbits were performed by the same physician before and 2 days after half the rabbits had received PFOB (5 ml/kg i.v.). The reviewers correctly identified all rabbits that received PFOB by visualization of an echogenic rim around the hepatic tumors.